Memphis Grizzlies: 3 keys to an outstanding performance vs. Golden State

Keys to Memphis Grizzlies’ win: Ja Morant stepped up in a big way

It seemed that Ja Morant wanted to make a point to not only take the three that the Warriors were lobbying him to take, but also make them. Morant went 5-10 from three as the Warriors went under every ball screen in the halfcourt and sagged off into the paint in transition against him leading to a few walk-up 3-point field goals.

Aside from the threes, the Warriors did challenge Morant at the rim but his craftiness was on another level tonight. His off-hand scoop layup towards the end of regulation was one of those demoralizing plays on defense for a few reasons. One, It was late in the game in a big spot. Two, the Warriors played very solid defense on that possession, to no avail. Three, this field goal was after Morant had put together a couple of baskets together after both teams were somewhat sloppy on offense. This possession looked as if it was going to be a stop for Golden State, and of course, it wasn’t.

As excellent as Ja was in regulation, overtime is when he made it his game. After a few big possessions on defense filled with switches and excellent denial of the ball from Steph Curry, Morant was able to milk the clock down on offense and provide two floaters at the end of the game, one being the dagger.

Morant ended up with 35 points, six assists, and six rebounds on 46 minutes of play. That stat line is impressive but the most impressive part of Morant’s performance was the clutch baskets in overtime and the way he made the Warriors pay for their game plan to sag off Morant and force him to beat the Warriors by making 3’s, and he did. It was a redemptive moment for Ja after the Warriors had just beaten them last Sunday in a game in which Morant went 7-21 from the field and 1-6 from the 3-point line.

The old saying that every basketball player has heard is “just keep shooting” if you’re in a slump. It takes a ton of guts and confidence to not only keep shooting but deliver at the same time. Definitely the biggest game of Morant’s young career thus far.